Emperor

The Emperor (Vachai: Ardairiēo or Airiēo Ardās) is the sovereign ruler of the Dominion. In theory, the position is not hereditary; instead, the Emperor is chosen to serve for life from a pool of electors belonging to the noble families of the Capital.

The Emperor, who is also Sealord (ruler) of Cōrienor, lives in a spacious villa in the center of the Capital, and rarely ever leaves. Emperors surround themselves with a large entourage of followers from noble families known as the Nacre Court. Every three years the Emperor releases a royal bull in which every noble family in Cōrienor is "ranked" in order of precedence, based on factors such as family history, prestige, and most importantly, monetary contributions to the city's arks.

Each Emperor belongs to a family pledged to one of the five higher gods in the Vachai pantheon. The title "emperor" is given to men and women equally, without distinction. By manner of distinction, the Emperor wears a gold-thread sash embroidered with pearls; a different sash exists for each of the five gods, and Emperors wear the one corresponding to their patron god.

At the beginning of the story, the reigning Emperor is Dechio Taodossi, who has ruled for over 20 years.

History
In the age of the Confederation, each maritime city-state counted with its own sealord. Each sealord wielded different amounts of power in each city. After the Vachai Wars, the Dominion was formed with Cōrienor at the head as the Capital, and the Sealord of Cōrienor became the Emperor of the Dominion. Historical emperors include Tistan the Gilded and Sīssanē the Engineer.

Selection process
Once an Emperor dies, the High Priests and other officials of the five major temples in Cōrienor assemble in the Wisdom Gardens. Following a cycle, candidates are chosen from a pool of suitable electors pledged to one of the five gods: Ardo, Tisso, Sadrie, Rago and Coirie. The selection process can last up to a month, in which the High Priests are not allowed to go out of the Jade Chamber of the Wisdom Gardens. Once a choice is done, a group of political and economic leaders from various guilds, as well as lords from major cities of the Dominion, are summoned and informed of the pick. Only then is the new Sealord is invested in office. The selection process is the best-kept secret in the Dominion, as only a selected group of temple officials possess the knowledge.